Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
Congress would let farmers and forest owners get emergency repair funds up front after disasters
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Gives farmers the option to get some emergency conservation money up front, before they fix damage to fencing, farmland, or conservation structures.
- Sets advance-payment limits: up to 75% for replacement or rehabilitation work, and up to 50% for repair work, based on fair market value.
- Expands what counts as a covered wildfire, including some human-caused fires (even if started by the federal government) when damage spread due to natural causes.
- Lets private forest landowners get up to 75% of approved emergency forest restoration costs up front, using state cost guides.
- If forest owners don’t spend the advance within 180 days, they must return the unused funds within a reasonable timeframe set by the Agriculture Department.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 10 (Roll no. 109).
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 10 (Roll no. 109).
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Considered as unfinished business.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Vote Results
1 voteOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Related News
4 articles
Letlow Legislation Improves Disaster Assistance for Farmers, Landowners
Announces introduction of the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act, highlighting advance emergency payments for farmers and nonindustrial forest landowners and expanded wildfire eligibility.
Fischer Reintroduces Legislation to Expedite Federal Cost-Sharing Relief After Natural Disasters
Press release describing S.629’s up-front cost-share option for ECP/EFRP, wildfire eligibility changes, and timing provisions for use/return of funds.
New Bill: Representative Julia Letlow introduces H.R. 3982: To establish a Tariff Response and Damages to Exports fund, and for other purposes.
Mentions H.R.1011 (Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025) in a list of bills recently proposed by Rep. Julia Letlow (not a full article about the bill).
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(4)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.